Toro is well-known for their lawn and snow equipment, and they’re one of the first brands people reach for when Mother Nature drops a ton of snow on your neighborhood. Toro offers a complete line of single and two-stage snow blowers, so they have the ideal tool whether you’re plowing a small walkway or a 10-car driveway.
With so many snowblowers in their product line, it can be challenging to narrow down the best fit for you. Today, we’re going to take a look at the Toro Snowmaster 824 QXE vs. 724 QXE to help you choose the perfect snowblower for the upcoming winter.
Which Is Best Toro Snowmaster 824 QXE vs 724 QXE
Toro’s Snowmaster series is among the most popular line on the market, and their 824 and 724 QXE models seem to be the favorites. Read on as we help you decide which model is your best fit.
The Snowmaster 824 QXE is a proven powerhouse that offers reliability, power, and performance to spare.
The 824 QXE offers a large 252cc engine that clears 60 tons of snow clearing per hour, throwing 45-feet from the chute. The extra power coupled with their innovative beveled chute design allows this model to clear up to 25% faster than the competition.
The Self-Propelled drive system allows you to plow at your own pace and turning the machine is easy thanks to automatic steering. With its wide 24” clearing path and a snow cut depth of 18”.
The serrated auger and large impeller make speedy work of heavy, wet snow and ice, which could bog down or damage less rugged machines.
The Snowmaster 724 QXE is the slightly smaller brother of the mighty 824 QXE, and it’s loaded with premium features that can stand up to the worst of the winter.
This model features a slightly smaller 212cc engine, but it can still clear as much snow per hour as the larger model with a 40 ft throwing distance, thanks to the smartly-designed chute and two-stage auger system.
The Personal Pace drive system and automatic steering are the same as the 824 model, so you’ll be able to maneuver this machine with ease. The slightly smaller footprint of the 724 coupled with these features makes it even easy to work in tight spaces, so it’s ideal for walkways, apartments, or in between buildings.
By the way, our site is supported by visitors like you. Some links on this page may be affiliate links which means if you choose to make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support! You can find out more here.
Toro Model Comparison
Here’s how these two popular snowblowers stack up against each other side by side.
Toro 824 QXE
- Power Type: Gas
- Engine Size: 252cc
- Propulsion: Self-propelled
- Number of Gears: 6 forward, 2 reverse
- Clearing Height: 18-inch
- Clearing Width: 24-inch
- Throwing Distance: Up to 45 ft
- Snow Clearance: 60 tons/hour
- Tires: 11-inch snow tread
- Chute Turning Radius: 210°
- Chute Control: Manual
- LED Headlights: N/A
- Heated Handle: N/A
- Cup Holder: N/A
- Other Features: Steel chute, serrated auger, anti-clogging intake, handle control interlock, electronic start
Toro 724 QXE
- Power Type: Gas
- Engine Size: 212cc
- Propulsion: Personal Pace self-propelled
- Number of Gears: 6 forward, 2 reverse
- Clearing Height: 18-inch
- Clearing Width: 24-inch
- Throwing Distance: Up to 40 ft
- Snow Clearance: 60 tons/hour
- Tires: 11-inch snow tread
- Chute Turning Radius: 210°
- Chute Control: Manual
- LED Headlights: N/A
- Heated Handle: N/A
- Cup Holder: N/A
- Other features: Helical auger technology, electronic start
Chassis Build Quality
Toro is one of the most reliable and reputable names in the business, and their snowblowers have been one of the leaders of the pack for over 70 years. They stake their reputation on quality components and manufacturing, which is evident when examining Toro’s machines’ chassis.
The shroud frame is one piece and exceptionally durable, and most of the other chassis components are high-gauge steel. Any plastic parts are confined to low-wear areas and shouldn’t pose an issue, but we’d still prefer to see all-steel construction.
Size
These Snowmaster machines maintain an identical footprint, even though their components under the hood are different sizes. Both machines measure 52″ deep by 25.4″ wide and 42.5″ tall.
Weight
Both these Snowmasters are relatively lightweight given their size and power. The 724 QXE model weighs in at 125-pounds, while the 824 QXE manages to add only an additional six pounds to its frame despite its significantly larger engine. The 824 tips the scales at 131 pounds.
Are Toro Reliable Snowblowers?
Toro is well known for producing reliable machines. Let’s take a closer look at what that means for you.
Maintenance
Performing regular maintenance on your Toro is simple, and they make it easy to keep your machine running in top shape for years to come. Between YouTube and Toro’s website, it’ll only take you a few hours to become an expert at maintaining your Toro snowblower.
Warranty
Toro offers a solid warranty for all their Snowmaster machines, and you’ll be covered for 3-years. The deflector and lower chute assembly are guaranteed for life, so you’ll have peace of mind knowing you’re covered forever if those components break.
However, if you’re using the machine commercially, the warranty is only 45-days.
After-Sales Customer Support
Like most large equipment manufacturers, Toro puts most of their after-sales support responsibility on their dealers. While their website offers helpful advice and contact information for phone or email, the dealer you purchased from is usually your best bet for after-sales support.
Verdict: Toro Snowmaster 824 QXE vs 724 QXE
Both these Snowmaster machines are beasts when it comes time to tackle the worst weather that winter dishes out.
Best Toro Snowblower
Toro Snowmaster 824 QXE
The 824 QXE is a bit more rugged, and it has a larger and more powerful engine and an auger better suited to cutting through icy snow.
The price difference between the 824 and 724 is negligible, so when it comes to the Toro Snowmaster 824 QXE vs. 724 QXE, purchasing the more powerful 824 QXE is a no-brainer.
The 724 is plenty powerful for most applications, and it’s a wise choice for areas that receive 25-75” of snow. The chute assembly is plastic, and the auger isn’t serrated like the 824 QXE, so this machine won’t perform as well when dealing with ice or heavy, wet snow. But, the 724 QXE is tough to beat for the light and powdery stuff.
The Toro 824 is the ideal choice for places that regularly deal with harsh winters and receive in the realm of 50-75” of snow per year. Thanks to the serrated auger, it’s also a wise pick if you’re going to be dealing with ice or heavy snow.
